Should teachers always be on time?
Companies use being on time for teachers a professional achievement when really they may be trying to provide security for their own investment. Teachers should have the ability to approach their students and manage their class room in their own way in order to gain and keep interest. Formalities are boring and loose student retention.
Richard,
I am with you. I explain to my students that I am the learning leader and as a result I am going to work at earning their respect while conducting classes that will help them to move toward their career goals. As the learning leader I will be dressed appropriately, conduct myself in a professional manner and use the language of the profession in a way that shows the pride I have in my field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with being the leader. I come from a military background and things seem to run much smoother when someone is the leader. I feel in the classroom setting it is imperative that the teacher grabs hold of the reins and leads the class right from the get go.....that starts by being on time and ready to go.....and LEAD!
Sean,
Good point and one we need to in mind as we start new classes. We are the learning leader so we need to model our expectations and be clear in our communication with our students. From there on it will be a building process to earn their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the first steps with any new class is to establish yourself as the leader. If you don't take the leadership role, then someone else will. In my opinion one of the most effective qualities of a leader is leading by example. If your students see that you don't put in enough effort to be on time then why should they?
Greg,
Yes, you are their role model and by being early you are setting an example. Also, by being early you are providing access to yourself so students that have questions know they can talk with you before class since they know you will be there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I show up 30 minutes early to make sure I am on time for my students. As a teacher I am their role model. I must set a good example for them to follow.
Kathy,
Good point and one we need to remember as we set the tone for our class and how we are going to operate. Once the boundaries are established then you can move forward with our learning efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Formalities are important at the beginning of a new class to establish a good relationship with the students. Overuse of formalities creates the boredom...
Great points made.It is so important to model what you want out of them.
Jennifer
Rose,
Good point about being on time and the fact that sometimes "life" interferes with our best laid plans. By establishing a pattern of being on time and organized when something comes up where the instructor is late the students understand because the pattern of being on time has been established.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes, teachers should be on time. But, you have to remember that we are human beings...like our students. We allow for situations...such as a flat tire two blocks from work, etc. I give myself plenty of time, just in case, I run into problems.
Understanding what you mean about boring classrooms, I must take some exception. Students have to believe their environment is safe. That there is some structure and at least one person is responsible (hopefully the teacher).
That said, I have kept class interesting by taking them outside for a lesson on a nice day, facilitated round table discussions, attempted learn-by teaching exercises or other activities. I just think excitement can be achieved in other ways.
Amanda,
Well said concerning being on time and starting a class on time. You set the standard for the class and if you as the instructor don't have order to what you are doing you are being a role model for the students but in a negative way. We need to be the learning leader and make sure we model what we want from our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes,Teachers should be on time. Teaching is a profession. Which means you should first of all treat it as a job and next be a professional on the job.
As the instructor you set the tone and importance of your class. By being on time you can be well prepared and your classroom can run smooth.
I think in this day and age all of our time is valuable. When a teacher is late they are saying my time is more important than yours. This can set a negative tone to your students.
Antwan,
Teachers are professionals and therefore need to model professional behavior in the classroom. You can still model correct behavior and keep your class interesting.
Hugo,
I am with you all the way on this. We are models for our students so we need to set the standard for the expectations we have for our students. Coming late or starting a class late send signals that the instructor is not organized or has poor time management. Either way the students soon learn that they are not going to be held accountable because the instructor does not hold him or herself accountable.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A teacher is considered a professional; and just like any other job in corporation, teachers are expected to be on time “alwaysâ€. A teacher is the role model for the student to follow, if the teacher is frequently late to class and to deliver his/hers subjet! Then how that teacher can impose or demand the same punctuality from his/her student? How the teacher can preach the importance to be a responsible and accountable person? I truly believe that the teacher should be always on time! Myself I get to the school at least 30 minutes before my class start: get ready; prepare my class & my equipment, to make sure everything is ship shape.
Antwan,
Not clear on your point about teachers being on time. It is critical that teachers model the behavior that they expect from their students so being on time and starting the class on time shows the students the teacher's expectations as well as helps them to develop the self discipline needed to be on time when they are out in the work place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
